AN ECHO FROM WAIHI

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10713, 20 November 1912, Page 5

AN ECHO FROM WAIHI

RESOLUTION BEFORE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

An echo of the Waihi strike was heard at the Masterton Borough, Council s monthly meeting last evening, when the following resolution, passed by the Wailii .Borough Council, was read, asking that the Masterton Council pass a similar resolution: That a condition of all future employment on borough works, that each an<J every person employed by the Borough, Council must sign a declaration, affirming his or her loyalty to the King and the Union Jack, and that none other than those affirming their loyalty to the King and tiJ Flag, shall be employed in any capacity on the Borough works, and thai it be an instruction to the Town Clerk to forward copies of this resolution to all local bodies throughout the Dominion inviting co-operation." Cr Ewington moved that the letter be laid on the table. He saw no necessity whatever for such a resolution being passed. The employees of thw Masterton Borough were highly loyal, and needed no .such injunction imposed on them. He did not even think it necessary to answer -such a letter. It was not required to pass such a resolution because a few men chose to run riot.

Or Prentice, in seconding the motion, said t "If .there is one loyal tow.i in New Zealand, it is Masterton."

Cr Candy thought the Council should go further, and write to the Waihd Council, and inform that body that the Masterton Borough Count I 'J has no reason to doubt the loyaltv of its employees, and hence sees no necessity for passing such. a. resolution.

Cr O'Leary said that perhaps the flag tliat had been trampled on in Waihi was not a Union Jack at all. He had read in Masterton of a similar happening talcing placei in Ireland, but it turned out that the flag that, had been torn to pieces was not a Union Jack, but a Chinese flag. (Laughter.) Cr Ewington moved that the Wa::n Council be informed that the Masterton Council considered the resolution too drastic.

!Rie Mayor said he had no sympathy with the resolution. Ho did not ron.«der that the question of loyalty -vas involved. '

Or Flanagan did not think thr r, there was any question as to the loyalty of the Master ton Borough employees. '

On the motion of the Mayor it '-.is decided that the communication received.